Bobbin-handling apparatus.



H. D. COLMAN.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1915.

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BOBB1N HANDLING APPARATUS.

lAPPLICATION FILED FEB. l. 1915. 1,226,606. Patented 11637151917.

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H. D. COLMAN.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1915.

1 ,226,606. Patented May 15, 1917.

l I SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Q i i) H. D. COLMAN.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1915.

1,226,606. Patented May15, 1917.

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' H. D. COLMAN.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

I APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1915. 1,226,606. Patented May 15, 1917.

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Y H. D. COLMAN. BOBBIN HANDLING APPABATUS. APPLlcAT'loN man FEB. 1. 1915.

Patented May 15, 1917.

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H. D. COLD/IAN.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.1.1915.

llanrml- Maly 15, 1917.

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H. D. COLMAN.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

`APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1915.

Patented May l5, 1917.-

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H. D. COLMAN.

BoBBlN HANDLING APPARATUS.

Y APPLICA-HON FILED FEB. 1, |915. 1,226,606. Patented May 15, 1917.

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BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1915.

1,226,66, Patented May 15, 1917.

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H. D. com/IAN.r

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-1,19%.

1,226,606., Patented May 15, 1917.

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nowm D. coDMAN, or' Rocxronn, LLINoIS, ASSIGNOR To HOWARD D. coLMAN, LUTHER L. MILLER, AND HARRY A. SEVERSON, coPAnTNEnS DOING BUSINESS .as BARBER-connai: COMPANY, oEnocKFonD, TLLINoIS.

Domain-HANDLING APPARATUS.

l Specieatien of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, i917.

Application led February 1, 1915. Serial No.l 5,564.

Rockford, in the county of llVinnebago and lState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bobbin-Han.- dling Apparatus, of which the following is A a specification. f

rIhis invention relates to means for arrangmg bobbms lnto a predetermmed order to .facilitate their use in textile machinery,

loobbinv pockets.

tion of the 'means for controlling the dis-""l.- charge of bobbins from the pockets. Fig. 12

as for example, for sorting the bobbins into the proper order for the magazines of auto- -matic weft-replenishing looms or the maga# zines of spinning-frame dol'ers, orfor sorting bobbins into proper position for'con venient application to the bobbin holders of spoolers or winders. i The embodiment herein shown of the invention is adapted to operate upon a confused massof bobbins, the bobbins being selected singly from the' mass and deposited upo-n a oonveyer arranged to serve a winder; those bobbi'ns which are deposited uponvthe conveyor with the wrong end leading being automatically detected and reversed upon the conveyer;

In the accompanying drawings,- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the features of my inventlon. Fig. 1

is a fragmental detail View. Fig. 2 is .1. View illustrating the location of the-conveyer hereinbefore referred to with relation to the Winder served by said conveyen Fig. 3 is a 'view taken from the right-hand side of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view taken approximately in the plane of dotted line 4-4 of Fig.'1. Fig. 5 iS a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of dotted line 5 of Fig. 1, but on a somewhat larger scale. Fig. 6 is a view of a slip connection between two shafts. Fig. 7 is a section on dotted line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 illustrates a mea-ns for shaking ,a certain trough. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the means for selecting a single bobbin from a mass of bobbins and the means for depositing selected bobbins upon the conveyor. For the sake of clearness, Some ofthe bobbin pockets com prised in the selecting means are omitted. Fig. 10 Vis an under-side View of one of the Fig. 11 illustrates a porbreaking means.

is a Section on dotted line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a View looking from the left' hand side of Fig. 9. Figs. 111, 15 and 15a illustrate certain thread-guiding and shearmg means. j Fig. 16 is a view of the bobbins'electing means. Fig. 17 illustrates a portion ofthe means for regulating the supply of bobbins to the selecting means. Fig. 18

represents the position assumed when one of the bobbin pockets of the selecting means is ngt emptied. Fi'g. 19 is a plan View illustratlng the means for detecting and reverslng Abobbins which are deposited upon the conveyer 'with the wrong `end leading. Fig.;

20 is a side elevation of said means. Fig. 21 is-a section on dotted line 21-21 .of Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a section on dotted line 22 ofFig. 20. Figs. 23,24, 25 and` 25a illustrate the means for actuating the bobbin-reverser.' Fig. 26 is a fragmental plan v View of the bobbin conveyer. Fig. 27 illustrates a driving and braking mechanism for the shaft that`drive`s the conveyer and the bobbin-ender, the'view being taken substantially in the plane of dotted line 274-27 of Fig. 28. Fig. 28 is a section'takcn substantially in the plane of dotted line 28--28 l of Fig. 27. Fig. 29 is a plan View ofthe means for breaking olf'th'reads which trail from the bobbins at the time they are discharged' into the selecting means.- Fig. 30 is a section on dotted line 30-30 of Fig. 29. Fig. 31 is a front view of saidthread- Fig. 32 is a section on dotted line 32-32 of Fig. 29, on an en larged Scale. Fig. 33 is a view similar to Fig. 32, but showing the parts in different positions.

Bobbins may he supplied to the apparatus in any preferredmanner. In the embodiment'of the invention which has been selected for illustration, au elevated hopper 1 is provided, into which bobhius may be dumped as received from the spinning frames. The lower open oud ot the hopper 1 is positioned above a. trough 2, one end of which is suspended from the supporting framework by means of two links 3, only one of which is shown in the drawings. The

-end of the trough2 adjacent to the links 3 is closed by a gate 2a which is hinged at its .lower end to the trough and is loosely 'con' nected at its upper end to the hopper. The other end of the trough 2 is somewhat lower,

volving table 28.

plate 30 is bent, as shown in Fig. 16, to exand is supported by means oftwo arms 4 (Figs. 1 and 5) which are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the trough 2 and are fixed at their lower ends to a rock shaft 5. The trough 2 may be reciprocated to shake bobbins off the lower end thereof by any suitable means; that herein shown comprises a lever 6 pivotally mounted on the rock shaft 5, one arm of said lever being arranged to lie between a lug 7 and a shoulder 8 on a locking member 9. The lug 7 is formed upon an arm 4 which is integral with one of the arms 4. The locking member 9 is pivoted at 10 upon the arm 4a. A spring 11 normally holds the locking member 9 in position for engagement by the lever 6.- The lever 6 is connected by a rod 13 to an adjustable wrist-pin 14 carried by a crank 15, said crank beingfixed upon a shaft 16. The shaft 16 is connected by gears 17 and 18 to a shaft 19. The shaft 19 is connected by bevel gearing 20 to a shaft 21 (Figs. 3 and l5). over a sprocket wheel 23 fixed on the shaft 21, and a sprocket wheel 24 (Fig. 1) fixed on a shaft 25. The shaft 25 is continuously driven by means of a belt 26 extendmg around a pulley 27 fixed on said shaft. It will be understood that any other suitable means may be employed to oscillate the lever 6. So long as the locking member 9 is in engagement with the lever 6, the trough 2 will be reciprocated to discharge bobbins. Means to be hereinafter described is provided to disengage thelocking' member 9 from the lever 6 when there is a suflieient supply of bobbins at the bobbin-selecting means'.

The bobbin-selecting means (which may also be termed a bobbin-alining means) comprises a bobbin container A,'which container includes, or is associated with, means for withdrawing single bobbins from a mass of bobbins in the container. In the form herein shown, the container is composed of a table 28 (Figs. 1 and 16) arranged to revolve upon an inclined axis, and a stationary wall 29 extending about the periphery of the table 28. The container A is arranged in position to receive bobbins shaken from the lower end of the trough 2. The means for controlling the rate of discharge of bobbins into said container comprises a platey 30 (Fig. 4) which is located within the container and is curved concentrically with the wall 29. The plate 30 is located'near the lowest point in the container and at the side toward which bobbins are carried by the re- The lower end 'of the tend outside the container so that the edge of the plate shall not be presented lto the asce ding bobbins, said end of the plate also beirfir bent to form a stop 31 to limit the extent of inward movement of the plate. The

A chain belt 22 extends plate 30 is fixed to two arms 32 (Figs. 16 and 17) which are fixed to a rock shaft 33. A spring 34 acting upon an arm 35, xed to the shaft 33, tends to move the plate 30 inwardly. 36 is an arm fixed to the shaft 33. To the arm 36 is pivotedthe lower end of a link 37, the upper end of said link-having a pin and slot connection with the locking member 9. rlhe spring 34 is strong enough to move the plate 30 inwardly when only a few bobbins rest upon the plate. When the plate 30 is thus moved inwardly, the spring 11 is permitted to move the locking member 9 into engagement with the lever 6, whereupon the trough 2 will be given one or more rapid reciprocations to discharge bobbins into the container A. The weight of these bobbins will press the plate 30 outwardly, whereby the link 37 will be moved upwardly to disengage the locking member 9 from the lever 6. When the locking member 9 is thus disengaged, a sto 38 (Fig. 8) serves to limit movement o the arm 9 in one direction and thus determine the position of rest of the trough 2. 'The ends of the threads on some of the bobbins shaken from the trough 2 may be tangled with and held by the mass of bobbins in the trough. To break off such thread ends, and thus prevent the further unwinding of yarn from the bobbins, I provide a thread .breaker B (Figs. 4 and 29 to 33, inclusive), said thread breaker being located adjacent to and below the discharge end of the trough. The thread breaker comprises a stationary plate`39 on which the bobbins fall as they are shaken ofi' of the trough 2, the forward edge of said plateI being notched as shown in Fig. 29 to provide flaring throatways for guiding trailing thread ends into slots 40 in the plate 39. Below the plate 39 is -a plate 41 which is similarly notched and slotted, the slots being indicated at 42, and each being vertically alined with one of the slots 40. Between the plates 39 and 41 and adjacent to each pair of slots 40 and 42 are fixed two spaced plates 43. For each pair of slots 40 and 42, there is a set of three spaced jaws 44, 44%* and 44b adapted to enter the spaces between the plates 39, 41 and 43. As shown in Figs. 32 and 33, the space between the plate 39 and the upper plate 43, and the space between the plate 41 and the lower plate 43, are narrower than the central space between thefplates 43. The jaws 44 and 44b serve to clamp the thread in .the top and bottom spaces, and the jaw 44 acts to break the thread in the central space. The jaws 44, 44a and 44b are fixed to a constantly-reciprocated slide 45 (Fig. 30.). It will be seen that threads which trail behind bobbins which are being discharged into the container A will be drawn into the slots 40 and 42 and will be broken by the jaw 44a as the jaws 44, 44a and 44b reciprocate across the .lie flush with the surface of .the table.

plate 62 is fixed to a pivot -63 supported by an eccentrio`49.` rlhe eccentric 49 is mounted'y upon a stud-shaft fixed 1n the framework,

and is rigid with a gear 50 that meshes with 'a gear 51. The gear 51 .is fixed upon a shaft 52 (Fig. l) which is driven from the shaft 2l through the medium of a clutch 53 and a belt 54.

-The thread portions which are broken off by the thread breaker eventually pass into the container A and are disposed of by means to be hereinafter described.

The table 28 is fixed to a hub 55 (Fig. 9) which is rotatably mounted upon an inclined shaft 56. The table is continuously revolved by means of a bevel gear wheel 57 fixed upon the hub 55, said gearwheel meshing with a bevel pinion 58 (Fig. 13), the latter being fixed upon a shaft 59 which is driven from the shaft 52 by means of bevel gears 60. The tablev28 is provided with a peripheral series of pockets 61 (Fig. 16) which are entered by bobbins when the pockets are traversing the lower portion 4of their orbit, and from which the bobbins may be discharged when the pockets reach the highest point in theirtravel.

Each pocket consists of a depression formed in a' plate 62, the periphery of the table being cut away to permit the platel to the table, a torsion spring 64 normally holding the plate' flush with the table, as shown inthe lower portion of Fig. 9. The depression 61 is of such size and form as to accommodate a single full or empty bobbin, and

is of suchpdepth, that a bobbin will notslide out of the pocket under the action of gravity during the ascent and descent of the pocket. Behind each pocket is a stud 65 set in the table 28, said stud being in contact with the end of a bobbin in the pocket and serving to insure that the hobbin shall not be pulled out of the pocket by a trailing thread end caught in the pile of bobbins in the container A. The depth of the pockets and the inclination of the table are such that a large percentage of the pockets pick up a bobbin from the pile of bobbins in the lower portion of the container A. In Vpassing through the mass of bobbins, the studs 65 tend to rake the bobbins into alinement close to the table, so that the bobbins shall readily drop into empty pockets as the 'pockets pass by. Said studs also agitate the mass of bobbins and thus prevent the formation of an interlocked mass or bridge of bobbins overlying the path of the pockets.

A post 66 extends axially through the container A. In this instance the post 66 is shown as fixed to and revolving with the table 28. A rod 67 also extends through the container A, but eccentrically thereof, said rod being fixed at its upper end to the supporting framework. The lowerV end of the rod 67 is close to the surface of the table 28, and is hooked, as at 67rl in Fig. 1a. If a bobbin having a trailing thread end is carried to and past the discharging position, the loose end of the thread will be ywound around the post 66 and will extend across the hooked end ofthe rod 67. TheV thread will thus be strained over the rod 67 through the rotation of the posiL 66, andbroken. rlhe brokenoff portion will become wound aroundthe post 66. The thread portions broken off at the breaker B, if carried into contact with the post 66, will become wrapped about said post. .The accumulation of thread upon the post 66 may be removed at any convenient time.

The means for discharge the bobbins comprises a segment 68 (Fig. 9) pivoted upon the rear side of the table 28 adjacent to each pocket. The segment 68 meshes with a pinion 69 fixed upon the pivot 63. Rigid with the segment 68 is an arm 70 which is provided with an antivfriction roller 71 which "is adapted to engage a cam plate 72 (Figs. 9 and 13).- The cam plate 72 is so located with reference to the path of movement of the rollers 71 as to upwardly. to discharge the bobbins as the bobbins reach the highest point in their travel, except under a certain condition to be hereinafter noted. When the roller 71 has passed-the cam plate 72, the spring 64 returns the plate 62 to its normal position. In order that the discharge of bobbins may be controlled, the cam plate is iixed 4upon an arm 73 which is attached to a rock shaft 74. The means for rocking said shaft will be hereinafter described.

The character of the device to which the bobbins are. delivered in the. discharging ino-vement of the pockets 61 depends upon the nature of the use to which the bobbins are to be put. In the illustrative embodiment herein shown, the bobbins are supplied to a conveyer C arranged to carry' bobbins around a Winder. In Fig. 2 is indicated a Winder W which may be of the general type disclosed in my application Serial No. 628,474, filed May 25, 1911, (Patent No. 1,17 5,7 10) but it will be understood that the present invention is'nct limitedv to any particular type of Winder. The conveyer C comprises a chain 75 (Figs. 2 and 26). The conveyer also comprises shallow pockets 76 swinging the plates 62 to A cause the plates 62 to be successively swung each adapted to support a single bobbin. Each pocket is provided at its rear end with a stop lug 77 (Figs. 4 and 20) which serves to prevent the bobbin from sliding rearwardly out of the' pocket. Fixed to the lower side of each pocket 7 6 are two parallel guide flanges 78. One of the flanges 78 is connected to al link of the chain 75 by means of lugs 75a. The conveyer is supported and guided in its travel along the opposite sides of the Winder by means of two rails 79. At the end of the Winder which is adjacent to the mechanism for supplying bobbins to the conveyer, the chain 75 passes around two sprocket Wheels 80 and 81 (Fig. 4). At the opposite end of the Winder the chain extends around two similar sprocket wheels (not shown). The lastv mentioned sprocket wheels and the sprocket Wheel 80 are idlers, the chain being driven by means of a wheel 81. connection with its driving means in order tol prevent breakage in case something should interfere with the movement of the conveyor. One form of yielding connection is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. l82 is a shaft to which the Wheel 81 is fixed. The shaft 81 extends within a sleeve 83 and is yieldingly connected to said sleeve by means of two spring-pressed dogs 84 which are pivoted on the sleeve and are adapted to engage V- shaped notches in a collar 85 keyed on the shaft 82. Fixed t0 the sleeve 83 is a bevel gear wheel 86 that meshes with a bevel pinion 87 (Fig. 1) on the shaft 52.

Between the wheels 80 and 81, the ennveyer is supported and guided upon a rail 88 (Fig. 9). At the opposite end of the Winder a similar rail (not shown) is provided between the two idler wheels hereinbefore alluded to. rlhe several rails stop short of the sprocket wheels in order that the guide flanges 78 may leave the rails before the pockets begin to turn the corners. Whilegoing around the corners the pockets are supported by means of stationary guide plates 89 (Fig-4) on which the lower edges of one of the guide flanges 78 for each pocket slides.

As stated, the pockets 76 are comparatively shallow. In order to prevent the bobbins from being thrown out of the pocket-s as the latter pass around the sprocket -whcels, I provide at each corner an outer rlhe sprocket wheel 81 has a yieldingk come caught between the flange 90 and the stop lugs 77. The same is true of the disl tance between the flange 92 and the plate 93. The flange 92 is so located with reference to the course taken by the pockets 7 (3 that the bobbins are forced partly out of the pockets, the bobbins being pushed through the space between` the plates, 90, 92 and 93 by the lugs 77.

In order that the Winder operative shall always have an ample supply of full bobbins Within convenient reach, the capacity of the conveyer C is made greater than the needs of the Winder; consequently some of the pockets 76 will return loaded to the place Where the bobbins are placed upon the conveyer. In order to prevent bobbins from being discharged onto pockets which are still provided With bobbins, the cam plate 72 (Fig. 9) is mounted for movement into and out of the path of movement of the roller 71. As hereinbefore stated, the cam plate 72 is carried by a rock shaft 74. The shaft 74 is oscillated by means of a spring 94 and a cam 95 acting upon an arm 96 which is rigid with the shaft 7&1. (See Fig. 13). The cam 95 is fixed upon the constantly rotating shaft 59. The spring 94 and the cam 95 are adapted to swing the cam plate 72 into and out of the path of movement of the rollers 71. To stop the cam plate 72 in the path of movement of a roller when a bobbin should be supplied to a pocket of the conveyer, there is provided a detent 97 (Figs. 9, 11, 12 and 13), said detent being arranged to be engaged by a projection 98 fixed to the cam plate 72. When the detent 97 is in the position shown in the drawings, the spring-caused movement of the cam plate 72 is arrested by said detent, leaving the cam plate in the path of one of the rollers 71, whereupon the pocket 61 associated with said roller will be swung upwardly to discharge the bobbin contained therein into a pocket of the conveyer. If the detent 97 occupies a position above that shown in the drawings, the cam plate 72 will complete its movement under the action of the spring 94: and will therefore be out of the path of movement of the roller 71, as a result of which the bobbin contained in the pocket will not be discharged but will be carried past the discharging position. The means for operating the detent 97 comprises a feeler finger 99 (Figs. 4 and 13) arranged above the path of movement of the tent 97,- the upper end of the link being `alerted te receive e pin 10i (Fig. 1a) fixed to the feeler iin er 99. A tension spring 102 tends to hold t e in against the lower` end wall of the slot. torsion spring 103 (Fig. 9) holds the finger 99 in contact with that which is passing below it. When the linger 99 is` in contact with an empty pocket 76,

the detent 97 is in its low position. As the projection 98 rises, it will cam the detent 97 up, said detent dropping into place behind the rojection so as to stop the cam plate 72 `1n the path of movement of the next roller 71. When the finger 99 is raised by a assing bobbin, the detent 97 is lifted out o the path of the projection 98, wherefore the plate 72 moves under the influence of the spring 94 beyond the path of movement of the next roller 7l. rIhe detent 97 and the finger 99 are yieldingly connected so that the linger 99 shall be at liberty to rise when a lug 77 or a bobbin passes under it, even though the' detent 97 be temporarily held againsty movementby reason of the pressure exerted against it by the projection 98. 104, 105 and 106 are guard plates. The lower portion of the plate 104fserves to guide the bobbin from the pocket 61 to the pocket 76.

\ 1f the bobbin discharged onto the pocket 76 has a trailing thread en'd, said thread' end will extend from the bobbin over the edge of a plate 107 (Fig. 13) which extends along the path of movement ofthe pockets 76 from the wheel 80 to the wheel 81. In

-travel is a lthread guide 109 having a {iaring throatway opposite the slot 108. The

' lower portion'of the thread guide 109 is into the throatway of the guide 109.

curved toward the plate 107 (as shown in Fig. 15) to assist in guidingthe thread pd e'. tween the plate 107 and the guide 109 is a thread shear comprising a stationary shear blade 110 and a coactlng shear blade 111 (Figs 15 and 15a), the shear blade 111 being fixed to a shaft 1112. Fixed to the shaft 112 is an arm 113 which is connected by means of a link 114 toan arm 115 that is fast on the rock shaft 48B. 4The shear 110--111 serves to trim oft' the trailing thread end. rllhe cut-od portion drops into the container A and is finally wound around the post 66.

It sometimes happens that the bobbins are deposited uponthe pocket 76 with an end of the bobbin resting upon the stop lug 77, as shown in Fig. 13. 1n order topush the bobbin olfy the stop lug, there is provided a wheel 116 (Fig. 13) mounted upon a horizontal shaft.117, said Wheel lbeing located above and adjacent to the ath of the bobbins. Thewheel has a paddle 118 (Figs. 1 and 13) pivoted thereon. A spring 119 and yoted at 124.

rotated by' means of a chain belt 121 run-A ning over a sprocket wheel 122 fixed on Said shaft and a sprocket wheel on the shaft 52 (Fig. l) The wheel 116 makes one revolution for each pocket 76. If one end of the bobbin rests upon the stop lug 7 7 the paddle 118 pushes the bobbin forward until the bobbin is properly seated in the pocket. The object of pivotally mounting the paddle 118 on the wheel 116 is to lprevent breakage in case a bobbin should be so far back on the convey'er pocket that the paddle comes down on top of the bobbin.

1n some instances, thel bobbins are deposited by the pockets 61 too far forward on the pockets 76. To push the bobbins back into proper position on the pockets 76, I provide a pin 191 .overhanging the path of the bobbins and low venough to sweepl back into the depressions of the pockets 76 any bobbins that may be too far forward.

To facilitate-the proper insertion of the bobbins in the bobbin holders of the Winder W, it is desirable that the bobbins shall lie upon the 4conveyer C with their butt ends foremost. As-deposited upon the conveyer by the pockets 61, some of the bobbins are arranged with their tips foremost, and some with their butts foremost. Means is therefore provided for reversing such of the vbobbins as may have been placed upon the conveyer with their tips leading'. To prevent the breakage that might result ifa bobbin was not properly seated in its pocket 76 be-` fore it reached the reversing means, I provide an automatic throw-out mechanism comprising a feeler 123 (Figs. 19 and 20) overlying the path of the bobbins and pivv'lhe feeler 123 is yieldingly held in normal position by means of a spring 125, 126 being a stop to `limit the actiony of the spring. Rigid with the pivot of the feeler 123 is a crankA arm 127 which is connected by means'of a link 128 to a lever 129. The lever 129 is connected by means o'f a link 130 to a crank arm 131 (Fig. 27), which crank arm is rigidwith a latch 132. Said latch is arranged tol engage a pin 133 which is seated in one arm of a bell-crank Vlever 134. lA spring 135 normally holds the detent 132 in engagement with the pin. 136 is a stop pin to limit the action of the gagement with the pin. .To the pivot of the bell-crank 134is fixed an eccentricallylocated pin 137 which is connected by means of a link 138 to one l.arm of a bell-crank,

upon the shaft 52. The pulley 140 constitutes one of the elements of the clutch 53,

the other element being indicated at 53 in Fig. 27. The clutch element 53a is rigid with a brake wheel 141 which-` is keyed upon the shaft 52. A compression spring 4142 tends to hold the drive wheel in driving engagement with the clutch element 5 a. 143 is a brake shoe connected to the bellcrank lever 139 and adapted to engage the peripheryV of the brake wheel 141.

If the paddle 118 has not pushed the bobbin forward into proper position on the pocket 76, the bobbin is carried into Contact' with the feeler 123, the latter being thereby pivotally moved. The movement of the .feeler being communicated to the crank arm 131, the latch 132 is disengaged from the pin 133, whereupon a spring 144 moves the bell-crank lever 134 to separate the drive pulley 140 from the clutch member 53 and apply the brake shoe 143 to the brake wheel 141. All of the parts driven from the shaft 52 are thereby immediately brought to rest. After the operative has properly seated the bobbin upon the conveyer, he throws in the clutch and releases the brake by restoring the bell-crank 134 to normal position, the latch 132 springing into engagement with the pin 133.

If a bobbin is placed toofar forward on the pocket 76 by the pocket 61, and the pin 191 does not sweep the bobbin back into proper position, the front portion of the bobbin will be carried into contact with tbc feeler 123, and the .bobbin will thereby be retarded until the pocket has advanced into register with the bobbin, whereupon the latter will sink into the pocket and pass along under the feeler 123 without actuating said feeler.

After passing the feeler 123, the bobbin advances to the means for determining whether the bobbin should be reversed.

This means comprises a feeler 145 (Figs.

20 and 22), said feeler being pivotally supported above the path of movement of the bobbins. The feeler 145 is arranged to be effective in controlling the action of the reversing means when in contact with the butt of the bobbin. Inasmuch as the pockets 76 may rise and fall slightly,- due to slack in the chain, means has been provided for firmly supporting the butt end of the bobbin at the time when the feeler finger 145 is performing its detecting function. This means comprises two rollers 146 and 147 (Figs. 20 and 22) rotatably supported upon the rail 79 in the vertical plane of that portion. of the feeler 145 which engages the bobbin. At the rear end of each pocket 76 in front of the lug 77 is a ledge 148 and immediately below this ledge is a base plate or flange 149 which is rigidly connected to the pocket and is adapted to be engaged by the rollers 146 and 147. As the pocket reaches the feeler 145, the latter springs down in front of the lend ofthe bobbin, and thus of the rollers 146 and 147 are somewhat above the upper edge of the rail 79; consequently, when the base flange 149 reaches said rollers, the pocket is slightly raised. Thus the rear end of the bobbin is rmly supported at a definite height for engagement by the feeler 145. Rigid with the feeler 145 is an arm 150 to which is'pivoted a detent 151. Said detent is slidably mounted in a guide 152 (Figs. 20 and 25). 153 is a spring tending to move the detent 151 into position to control the action of the bobbinreversing means. The extent to which the feeler 145 may swing downwardly in front of the bobbin is determined by the engagement of a vstop pin 152a with the guide 152, the feeler not being permitted to touch the pocket.

The bobbin-reversing means (which ma also be termed a :bobbin-ending means)7 comprises a channel-shaped member 154 consisting of two parallel side walls 155 and a top wall 156 (Figs. 20 and 21) The member 154 is supported for rotation upon a vertical axis intersecting the path of the. bobbin pockets 76; and the member 154 is supported so that the bobbins travel through 1t. The ends of the member 154 may be provided with Haring guide flanges 157. If the rear end of any bobbin passing under the feeler 145 is the butt end, the member 154 is rotated through a half-revolution to reverse the bobbin. As the pockets 76 are comparatively shallow, the bobbin is readily forced out of the depression constituting the pocket, proper, when the member 154 begins to turn, and drops back into the depression when said member has completed a. half-revolution. The direction of rotation of the member 154 is indicated by the arrow a in Fig. 19. At the side toward which the rear end of the bobbin is turned, there is a guide or guard 158 consisting of a bottom wall 159 and a vertical wall 160 which is curved upon the arc of a circle concentric with the axis of the member 154. The guide 158 is pivoted at 161 and is normally held against a stop 162 by a spring 163 (Figs 19 and 21). At the opposite side of the guide 158 is a shield 164.

The channel-shaped member 154 is rigidly attached to a spindle 165. Fixed to said spindle is a collar having two flanges 166 and 167 (Fig. 21). In the flange 166 are two diametrieally opposite V-shaped notches 168 (Fig. 25) to receive a correspondinglyshaped tooth 169 upon a locking dog 170, said dog being mounted upon a'stationary pivot y171. A spring 172 keeps the dog 170 pressedagainst the ange 166. The dog 170 yieldmgly holds the channel-shaped lli] y member in alinement with the path ofthe' bobbins.

The means for rotating the member 154 `pivoted "upon an arm 175 which is rigidly attached to a pinion 17 6- rotatably mounted upon the, spindle 165. A spring 177 vtends to move the dog 173 into engagement with the notches 174.' The pinion 176 meshes with a segment 178 (Fig. 19) -whichis pivoted at 179. vRigid with the segment 178 is an arm 180 carrying a roller Stud that runs in a groove `of a campdisk 181. The cam disk 181 is fixed upon a shaft 182 which lis driven from the continuously rotating shaft 82 (Fig. 1) through lintermeshing gears 183 and 184. For every bobbin the arm 17 5- makes a complete oscillation through an arc of 180 degrees. `1f vthe rear end of the bobbin is the tip end, the dog 173 is prevented from entering a notch `1 4 at one end of its swing through the engagement of the detent 151 with a finger 185 which is fixed to the dog 173. At the other end of its swing the dog 17 3 is removed from the flange l167 by an arm 186. which is rigid with the dog 170. The arm 186 has a wedging or cam surface 187 thereon. ,v

The operation' of the bobbin-reversing l mechanism is as follows: If the rear end'of the bobbin is the butt end, the feeler l145 will ,have removed the detent 151 from the path the arm 186 is moved into the position shownin Fig. 23. As the d0g'173 completes its return movement, the tooth 169 is forced bythe spring 172 into the i other notch 168,

thereby swinging the arm 186 outwardly against a pin 188 on .the dog 173. The dog 173 is thereby disengaged from the fiange 167 and placed in the position shown in Fig. 24. On the next swinging movement of the dog 17 8, the pin 188 runs oiii the cam surface 187, the tooth of the dog resting upon the periphery of the flange 167. If the next bobbin is arranged with its butt end leading,

the detent 151 will be in position tov be engaged bythe inger 185, whereby the dog 173 is tilted away from lthe flange 167 and thusl prevented from dropping into a notch 174. )n the neit return movement of the dog 173,

- the pin 188 rides up on the cam surfac 187 the dog being thus prevented from engaging the adjacent notch 174.

To prevent the damage that would result to the feeler 145 if the feeler were permitted:

to touch the lugs'77 of the pockets 76, I provide on the cam disk 181 a plate 189 which revolves into position above the farm 150 lat the times when the lugs 77 are passing the feeler. The engagement of the upper endof vthe arm y150 with the plate 189 limits the downward swinging movement of the eeler 145 sufficiently tozprevent the `feeler from touching the lugs To compensate for the movement of the pocket 76 which occurs while the bobbin is being reversed,.the member 154 begins to turn beforet'he bobbin is centrally located the bobbins at any points where'there is a possibility that the bobbins will leave the pockets. l have shown such a gilard at 19() in Figs.V 19 and 21. The shield 164' and the guard 190 are omitted 'in Fig. 20, in order that the mechanism may be shown more clearly. While the present embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be understood th'at the inven-` tionis not limited to the construction and arrangement of mechanisms herein shown, the scope of the invention-being indicated in the annexed claims.

1 claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a part on which a bobbin may lie loosely, a channel-shape member above said part, the bobbin extending 'lengthwise of and within said member, and means for turmng said member to reverse' the bobbin on said part.

2. 1n combination, a device forvselectively reversing full bobbins to make similar ends of the bobbins extend in the same direction,

yand means for alining full bobbins end to end and for presenting the alined bobbins to said device.

3. AThe combination of a support for bobbins, bobbin-arranging means arranged to receive bobbins from said support, and mechanism controlledA by the bobbins at said arranging means for regulating the discharge of bobbins from said support.

4. The combination of a container for bobbins, means for supplying bobbins thereto, and means including a part located in the container and adapted to bear against the bobbins held within said container for controlling the operation of said supplying means.

5. yThe combination of a bobbin conveyer, means for placing alined bobbins on the conbobbins on the conveyer.

i tary 6. The combination of a bobbin-alhier, an endless bobbin-conveyer arranged to receive alined bobbins from the bobbin-alhier, and means for selectively reversing bobbins on the conveyer.

7. The combination of an endless bobbin conveyer comprising a series of alined pockets each adapted to receive a single bobbin, a bobbin-aliner arranged to discharge alined bobbins onto the pockets, and a device controlled by bobbins in said pockots for regulating such discharge.

8. The combination of an endless bobbin conveyer, a bobbin-alhier arranged to discharge alined bobbins onto the conveyer, a device controlled bobbins on the conveyer for regulating such discharge, and means for selectively reversing bobbins on the conveyer.

9. The combination of a bobbin conveyer comprising a series of pockets each adapted to contain a single bobbin, and a device .located above the conveyer in position to engage a misplaced bobbin and delay the travel of such bobbin.

10. In bobbiii-selecting mechanism, a rotable having a peripheral series of elongated bobbin pockets each adapted to contain a single bobbin and to support its bobbin partly below the plane of the table, said pockets being arranged end to end.

'11. In bobbin-handling mechanism, a rotary series of elongated bobbin pockets each adapted to contain a single bobbin, said pockets being arranged end to end, and each pivoted to swing away from the center of rotation.

12. In bobbin-handling mechanism, a rotary table, and a series of elongated bobbin pockets each adapted to contain a single bobbinand to support its bobbin partly below the plane of the table, said pockets being arranged end to end, each pocket being pivoted to the table to swing away from the center of the table. f

13. The combination of a vibratory support, means to receive bobbins shaken -olf' said support, and thread-severing means located intermediate 'the support and the receiving means for severing trailing thread ends from the bobbins. l

14. The combination of .means to receive bobbins, means thereabove to supply bobbins to the receiving means, means for severing trailing thread ends while the bobbins are descending from the supplying means to the receiving means, the bobbins in their descent drawing said thread ends into operative relation to the severing means, and means for collecting the severed thread ends.

15. The combination of an inclined rotary table having a series of bobbin-receiving pockets, means for supporting a quantity of bobbins in contact with the lower portion around which the severed thread ends may ing trailing thread ends from the bobbins, a

member located within the series of pockets around which the severed thread ends may become wound, and a member coperating With the other member to sever trailing thread ends.

1 8. The combination of a bobbin conveyer, and means for reversing a bobbin end for end upon the conveyer.

19. The combination 'of a conveyer consisting of a series of bobbin pockets, and means for reversing a bobbin in one of the pockets.

20. The combinatilon of a bobbin conveyor adapted to carry a single row of alined bobbins, and means for reversing bobbins end for end upon the conveyer.

21'. The combination of a bobbin conveyer adapted to carry a single row of alined bobbins, a bobbin-engaging member above the conveyer, and means for turning said member through a half-revolution to reverse bobbins upon the conveyer.

22. In combination, a channel shaped member, a conveyer arranged to carry a bob- 'bin through said member, and means for 23. In a bobbin-reversing means, the combination of a pivoted member within which a bobbin may lie, means for turning said member through a half-revolution, and a curved guide arranged to be engaged by the bobbin as the latter is being turned by said member. v y

24. In a bobbin-reversing means, the conibination of a pivoted member within which a bobbin may lie, means for turning said member through a half-revolution, and a yieldingly mounted curved .guide arranged to be engaged by one end of theubobbin as the latter is being turned by said member.

25. The combination of a shaking receptacle arranged to receive bobbins, a bobbinalining device receiving bobbins from the receptacle, and a bobbin-onder receiving 'bobbins from said alining device.

26. The combination of a hopper arranged to contain bobbins, shaking means to receive bobbins from the hopper, an endless conveying element arranged to receive bobbins from said shaking means and aline them end to'end, and means to receive bobbins from said conveying element and arrange them with certain ends extending all in the same direction.

27. The combination of a hopper for bobbins, an inclined vbratory support arranged' beneath said hopper, en endless conveying element at the lower end of said vibratory support, vand a bobbin onder arranged to receive bobbins from said conveying element.

28. In bobbin-handling apparatus, the combination of means for arranging bobbins end to end, a device for arranging bobbins with similar ends extending in the same direction, and means for conveying bobbins from the drst mentioned means to the said device.

29. In bobbin-handling apparatus, a series of elongated pockets arranged end'to end and each adapted to receive a single bobbin, means for moving the series of pockets, and means for moving individual pockets with relation to the remainder of the series to edect the discharge of the bobbins from the pockets.

30. In bobbin-handling apparatus, anr inclined rotary table, a bobbin-receiving pocket movably connected to the table, means for supporting a quantityy of bobbins in contact with the lower portion of the table, and

-bobbin pockets connected to the table, each pocket corresponding in form to the longitudinal cross-sectional form of a full bobbin and adapted to contain a single full bobbin, a bobbin conveyer, and means for lmoving the pockets to transfer bobbins from the pockets to the conveyer.

33., In bobbin-handling mechanism, a rotary table having a plurality of pivoted bobbin pockets, each pocket corresponding in form to the longitudinal cross-sectional form of a full bobbin and adapted to contain a single full bobbin, and means for individually swinging the pockets to discharge the bobbins contained therein.

\ 34. In a bobbin-.handling mechanism, a rotary table having a peripheral series of bob- Abin pockets, each pocket corresponding in form to the longitudinal cross-sectionalV aform of a full bobbin and adapted to Vcontain a single full bobbin, and means for successively moving the pockets to discharge the bobbins,v contained therein.

35. In bobbin-handling apparatus, bobbin-selecting means including a rotary table having pockets each adapted to receive a single bobbin, each pocket corresponding in form to the longitudinal cross-sectional form of a full bobbin, and means for effecting the discharge of the bobbins from the pockets.

36. In bobbin-handling apparatus, an inclined rotary table, a bobbin-receiving pocket pivoted to the table, means for supporting a quantity of bobbins in contact with the lower portion of the table, and means arranged' adjacent to the upper portion of the table for pivotally .moving the pocket.

37. In bobbin-handling. apparatus, an inclined rotary table having a bobbin-receiving pocket, means for supporting a quantity of bobbins in contact with the lower por-- tion of the table, and means arranged adiacent to the upper portion of the table `or eii'ecting the discharge of the bobbin from said pocket.

38. The combination of a rotary table, a series of bobbin pockets pivoted to the pe riphery of the table, Ja series of arms pivotedl to the table and each arranged to pivotally move a pocket, and a member in the path of said arms for actuating the latter. 39. In bobbin-handling apparatus, the

combination of a series of bobbin pockets, v

means for moving the series, a bobbin conveyer, and means for selectively moving the pockets to transfer bobbins from the pockets `to the conveyer.

40. In bobbin handling apparatus, the combination of a rotary table, a series of bobbin pockets connected to the table, a bobbin conveyer, and means for selectively moving the pockets to transfer bobbins from the "pockets to the conveyer.

41. rIhe combination with a textile .machinehaving a series of supports for thread containers, of a member tc feel-for thread; containers on the supports, and means governed by the feeler member for supplying containers to those supports which have no containers thereon.

42. The combination of a seriesof supports for thread containers, means for supplying containers to said supports, a mem- -ber to feel for vthread-containers on the successive supports, and means for causing a relative movement between the series of supports on the one handand said'supplying means and feelermember on the other, said supplying means being arranged to be rendered inoperative by the feeler member when' a support has a container thereon. Y

43a In a textile machine, theA combination 

